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Shri Ram Pal vs. D.T.C.

Writ Petition (Civil) · 2026:DHC:7861Decided 14 Sept 2026New Delhi Bench
W.P.(C) 13835/2006CNR: DLHC010685542006
Justice Amit Mahajan

Background

A DTC bus conductor was removed from service in 1991 after being caught collecting Rs. 6 in fares from six passengers without issuing tickets. He challenged the enquiry as unfair, alleging he was denied help from a co-worker, that passengers were never examined, and that removal over just Rs. 6 was disproportionate. The Industrial Tribunal had already upheld his removal.

Decision Breakdown

The Court upheld the Tribunal's decision, noting the conductor had actively participated in the enquiry, was given a chance to cross-examine witnesses, and had himself declined the offer of co-worker assistance. Citing Supreme Court precedent, the Court held that non-examination of passengers (who often decline to give statements) does not by itself make a disciplinary enquiry invalid, and that removal for dishonesty involving a conductor's core duty of fare collection is not so disproportionate as to require interference, especially given the case was three decades old.

Lesson Learnt

Courts give real weight to findings from a properly conducted workplace disciplinary enquiry, even over a small monetary amount, when the misconduct goes to the heart of an employee's job responsibilities (here, honest fare collection).

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